Middle East Politics.Net » Literature http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Yemen To Participate in International Book Fair http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/20/yemen-to-participate-in-international-book-fair/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/20/yemen-to-participate-in-international-book-fair/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:27:37 +0000 hootstei http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1518

Yemen’s Deputy of Culture Ministry Sam al-Ahmar announced that Yemen will participate in the 27th Annual International Book Fair. The book fair will take place in Sharjah from October 17 through November 7, 2008.

Approximately 400 pieces of literature from the most prominent Yemeni authors were selected to be part of the fair. All books selected highlight the individuality and uniqueness of Yemeni culture.

The fact that so many books were available for selection illustrates how much the Yemeni people have to say about their culture and the way they live. The fair highlights the literary talent that exists within Yemen’s boundaries and provides an appropriate means to share with other nations information and aspects of Yemen’s cultural heritage.

Jenna Hootstein

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/20/yemen-to-participate-in-international-book-fair/feed/ 0 The Love of Turkish Literature http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/15/the-love-of-turkish-literature/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/15/the-love-of-turkish-literature/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:31:36 +0000 hambolu http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1380 The annual Frankfurt Book Fair opened this year featuring the Turkish, and Nobel Prize winning author, Orhan Pamuk. Pamuk spoke about his sorrow regarding the strict policies regarding Turkish literature in his homeland, and how he yearned to be able to publish his work there. Pamuk contends that Turkey continues to ban books and that published books are strictly regulated. Pamuk was charged criminally earlier this year due to the fact that he made unflattering statements about Turkey’s role in the Armenian genocide. The charges were later dropped, and Turkish officials say that the law is currently being reformed.

Why do countries silence their citizens? A nation is nothing without its people, and it is the voice of the everyday mothers, fathers and children that are the essential elements that define a country. Turkish leaders, nor any leaders for that matter, should not punish their citizens for saying “unflattering” things about a nation, or things that “disintegrate the identity” of that country. Instead of trying to maintain a false utopian image, countries around the world should welcome criticism; a critique can be seen as the greatest form of flattery and affection.

Olorunbunmi Hambolu

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